Red Bull Music Academy presents The Mizell Brothers | Listen & Love
Mizell Brothers
Sky High Productions, Los Angeles
The Mizell bloodline is thick: two prominent early 20th century black leaders, Andy Razaf (the composer of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’), The Ronettes, Don Mizell, and the great Jam Master Jay. Success seems to run in their genes. So here’s a story of family values. It begins with a little hit by a little boy and his four big brothers. The boy is named Michael Jackson, the brothers are the Jackson 5, the song they are about to record is one co-written by Fonce Mizell called ‘I Want You Back’, and, in a last-minute bit of Motown intrigue, it’s plucked from the hands of Gladys Knight in their favor. (Larry says Gladys still may not know the song was meant for her.) When Fonce’s Motown days ended (after a series of #1 J5 hits he got no writing credit for), brothers Larry and Rod joined him in Los Angeles and the magic continued. Out of ill pangaeic jam sessions at their Hollywood Hills studio came the stuff that gave fusion a name. This time they kept the publishing. So after a glorious ten-year run at the top ending around 1982, they retired to their Altadena rancho for tennis, champagne, clams on the half shell, and roller skates. The elder statesmen of jazz funk in this rare chat. Music is their sanctuary.
Playlist
Gary Bartz – Music Is My Sanctuary – Capitol
The Moments – Baby I Want You – Wax Poetics
Jackson 5 – I Want You Back – Motown
Jackson 5 – ABC – Motown
Marvin Gaye – Where Are We Going – Universal
Donald Byrd – Where Are We Going – Blue Note
Donald Byrd – Flight Time – Blue Note
Bobbi Humphrey – Harlem River Drive – Blue Note
Bobbi Humphrey – Uno Esta – Blue Note
Donald Byrd – (Fallin’ Like) Dominoes – Blue Note
Johnny Hammond – Los Conquistadores Chocolates – Milestone Records
L.T.D. – Love Ballad – A&M Records
L.T.D. – Love To The World – A&M Records
A Taste Of Honey – Boogie Oogie Oogie – Capitol
Mary Wells – Gigolo – Epic
Donald Byrd – Think Twice – Blue Note
